Ark Valley Conduit environmental impact statement available online

The Bureau of Reclamation released the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Arkansas Valley Conduit and Long-Term Excess Capacity Master Contract.

Comment

By La Junta Tribune-Democrat

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By La Junta Tribune-Democrat

Posted Aug. 18, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By La Junta Tribune-Democrat

Posted Aug. 18, 2013 at 6:00 AM

LOVELAND, Colo. – The Bureau of Reclamation released the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Arkansas Valley Conduit and Long-Term Excess Capacity Master Contract. To access the document, its Executive Summary, and supporting appendices visit www.usbr.gov/avceis.

In the Final EIS, Comanche North is identified as the agency-preferred alternative. It minimizes cost and urban construction disturbance, avoids the U.S. Highway 50 expansion corridor, and maximizes source water quality and yield. It is a hybrid alternative developed in response to comments on the Draft EIS by using components of other alternatives analyzed in that document. Of the AVC alternatives, Comanche North would be least costly and provide the most benefits.

"After extensive public involvement and consideration of comments, scientific data and regional water needs, Reclamation is pleased to release this Final Environmental Impact Statement and announce Comanche North as the agency-preferred alternative," said Mike Ryan, Regional Director for Reclamation's Great Plains Region, which includes eastern Colorado.

Reclamation completed the Final EIS in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. In it, the agency proposed and analyzed three federal actions pertaining to AVC and the Master Contract:

• Construct and operate the AVC and enter into a repayment contract with Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District;

• Enter into a conveyance contract with various water providers for use of a pipeline interconnection between Pueblo Dam's south and north outlet works; and,

• Enter into an excess capacity master contract with Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District to store water in Pueblo Reservoir.

When completed, the pipeline for the AVC could be up to 227 miles long.

For more information contact Kara Lamb at (970) 962-4326 or klamb@usbr.gov.

The Fryingpan-Arkansas Project celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. It is a part of Reclamation, the largest wholesale water supplier in the United States, and the nation's second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Reclamation facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit us at http://www.usbr.gov.